Tidal power generator

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods disclosed herein provide a tidal power generator including a first container, a second container coupled to the first container, a frame pivotably coupled to the second container, a first valve, associated with the second container, configured to selectively control ingress of a first volume of a fluid into the second container, and a second valve, associated with the second container, configured to selectively control egress of a second volume of the fluid out of the second container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/345,166, entitled “TIDAL POWERGENERATOR,” filed on Jun. 3, 2016, which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Many power generators operate using energy sources including fossilfuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas. However, the burning of fossilfuels produces harmful emissions and adversely affects animal life,plant life, and the environment. Furthermore, fossil fuels arenon-renewable resources and will be depleted in the near future.Alternate, renewable energy sources being leveraged today, includingsolar energy, wind energy, ocean wave energy and geothermal energy areconsidered “clean” energy sources, but do not have very reliable energyoutput capabilities. For example, solar energy cannot be used at nightor during cloudy or stormy weather. Wind energy is also not veryreliable, as wind energy is dependent on weather conditions. Ocean waveenergy depends on erratic wind strength and weather conditions, andgeothermal energy is restricted by an extremely limited set ofconditions and high initial installation costs. Moreover, harnessinggeothermal energy requires drilling into the earth's crust and canresult in the release of toxic gases and minerals.

Conversely, ocean tides are highly reliable, cycling once or twice eachtwenty-four-hour period. Ocean tides are also widely available to mostparts of the world, and are a renewable source of clean energy. Existingtidal power generators suffer from various deficiencies, including, forexample, prohibitively large construction and maintenance time andcosts, harmful environmental impact, an inability to operate over a fullrange of tidal depths, an inability to operate independently of a normaltidal cycle for an extended period of time (e.g., longer than 12 hours),an inability to elevate water above a natural high tide, and so forth.In light of the foregoing deficiencies, there exists a need for a novelform of renewable energy that is reliable, cost-effective, efficient,environmentally friendly, and capable of operating in most coastalregions.

SUMMARY

Aspects and examples are directed to generating electrical energy usingvariable water levels. With particular reference to natural tide cycles,the rising and falling action of the tides is used to raise water abovea high tide level such that potential energy stored in the raised watermay be harnessed to drive a power generator. The ability to raise waterabove a high tide level provides multiple advantages over existing tidalpower generators.

According to one aspect, a tidal power generator is provided. The tidalpower generator includes a first container, a second container coupledto the first container, a frame pivotably coupled to the secondcontainer, a first valve, associated with the second container,configured to selectively control ingress of a first volume of a fluidinto the second container, and a second valve, associated with thesecond container, configured to selectively control egress of a secondvolume of the fluid out of the second container.

In one embodiment, the second container is coupled transversely to thefirst container. In some embodiments, the first container is fluidicallydecoupled from the second container. According to at least oneembodiment, the first container is fluidically coupled to the secondcontainer. In one embodiment, the tidal power generator is disposed in abody of the fluid, the body of the fluid having a high fluid level and alow fluid level. In some embodiments, the tidal power generator isconfigured to raise the first volume of the fluid above the high fluidlevel.

In some embodiments, the tidal power generator further includes a thirdvalve, associated with the first container, configured to selectivelycontrol ingress and egress of a third volume of the fluid into and outof the first container. In one embodiment, the second volume of thefluid is provided to one or more electrical generators to drive the oneor more electrical generators. In some embodiments, the tidal powergenerator further comprises a third container pivotably coupled to thesecond container. In some embodiments, the first container is pivotablycoupled to the second container. In one embodiment, the frame isconfigured to be coupled to a fixed plane.

According to one embodiment, a method of controlling a tidal powergenerator disposed in a body of a fluid is provided, the methodcomprising acts of actuating one or more first valves to control a firstamount of fluid in the tidal power generator responsive to the body ofthe fluid having a first fluid level, opening a second valve to controla second amount of fluid entering the tidal power generator responsiveto the body of the fluid having a second fluid level, and opening athird valve to control a third amount of fluid exiting the tidal powergenerator responsive to the body of the fluid having a third fluidlevel, the third amount of fluid having a fourth fluid level greaterthan the third fluid level.

In some embodiments, the first fluid level and the third fluid levelrepresent a low fluid level of the body of the fluid. In one embodiment,the second fluid level represents a high fluid level of the body of thefluid. According to one embodiment, the fourth fluid level is higherthan the second fluid level. In at least one embodiment, the methodincludes acts of providing the third amount of fluid to one or moreelectrical generators in response to opening the third valve.

In some embodiments, actuating the one or more first valves includingcontrolling the first amount of fluid such that the tidal powergenerator is configured to rotate in a first direction responsive to thebody of the fluid having a rising fluid level, and rotate in a seconddirection responsive to the body of the fluid having a lowering fluidlevel. In one embodiment, the first direction is opposite the seconddirection. In at least one embodiment, actuating the one or more firstvalves includes controlling a flow of fluid into the tidal powergenerator. According to one embodiment, actuating the one or more firstvalves includes controlling a flow of fluid out of the tidal powergenerator.

Still other aspects, examples, and advantages of these exemplary aspectsand examples are discussed in detail below. Examples disclosed hereinmay be combined with other examples in any manner consistent with atleast one of the principles disclosed herein, and references to “anexample,” “some examples,” “an alternate example,” “various examples,”“one example” or the like are not necessarily mutually exclusive and areintended to indicate that a particular feature, structure orcharacteristic described may be included in at least one example. Theappearances of such terms herein are not necessarily all referring tothe same example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of at least one example are discussed below withreference to the accompanying figures, which are not intended to bedrawn to scale. The figures are included to provide illustration and afurther understanding of the various aspects and examples, and areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, but are notintended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the figures,each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated invarious figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes ofclarity, not every component may be labeled in every figure. In thefigures:

FIG. 1A is a front view of a first embodiment of a Tidal Power Generator(“TPG”);

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the TPG;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the first embodiment of the TPG;

FIG. 3 is a process of actuating one or more valves;

FIG. 4A is a side view of the first embodiment of the TPG in a low fluidlevel situation;

FIG. 4B is a side view of the first embodiment of the TPG in a highfluid level situation;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a TPG;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the TPG in alow tide situation;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the TPG in ahigh tide situation; and

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a system configured to operate a TPG.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to novel Tidal PowerGenerators (“TPGs”). These TPGs may provide, for example, improvedperformance over existing approaches while reducing cost, complexity,and construction time. It is to be appreciated that examples of themethods and apparatus discussed herein are not limited in application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. The methods and apparatus are capable of implementation inother examples and of being practiced or of being carried out in variousways. Examples of specific implementations are provided herein forillustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting.

Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of“including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” andvariations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter andequivalents thereof as well as additional items. References to “or” maybe construed as inclusive so that any terms described using “or” mayindicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms.Any references to front and back, left and right, top and bottom, upperand lower, and vertical and horizontal are intended for convenience ofdescription, not to limit the present systems and methods or theircomponents to any one positional or spatial orientation.

As will be discussed in greater detail below, at least one embodiment ofthe disclosure is generally directed to a TPG composed of two or moretransversely-coupled containers, each configured to hold a volume of afluid and configured to be rotatably coupled to a fixed frame disposedin a fluid having a variable fluid level. At a highest fluid level, thecontainers are each configured to be filled, either partially orcompletely, with the fluid in which the frame is disposed. As the fluidlevel subsequently becomes lower, the containers rotate about the frameuntil a lowest fluid level is reached, at which point the containerswill have rotated to an approximately oblique angle relative to theposition of the containers at the highest fluid level. The rotation ofthe containers elevates at least one of the containers above the fluidlevel, and water head pressure accumulated in the elevated container(s)drives fluid out of the at least one container. In one embodiment, thefluid is driven through a generator configured to generate electricalenergy. The process is thereafter repeated to continuously andcyclically generate electrical energy.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1A illustrates a frontal view of aTidal Power Generator (“TPG”) generally indicated at 100, whichaddresses at least some of the deficiencies described above. FIG. 1Billustrates a perspective view of the same embodiment of the TPG 100from an alternate angle. In the illustrated embodiment, the TPG 100includes a first container 102 to hold a first volume of a fluid, asecond container 104 to hold a second volume of a fluid, and a frame106, supported by a crossbeam 130, to support the first container 102and the second container 104. In the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 1Aand 1B, the first container 102 and the second container 104 areconnected at an approximately-oblique angle such that they form a “T”shape. The first container 102 includes an inlet valve 108 configured toselectively control ingress of a fluid into the first container 102 andan outlet valve 110 configured to selectively control egress of thefluid out of the first container 102. The second container 104 includesone or more valves 112 configured to selectively control ingress andegress of a fluid into and out of the container 104. The inlet valve 108and the one or more valves 112 are constructed of a corrosion-resistantmaterial or materials, and can be actuated electrically, hydraulically,pneumatically, manually, via a cable, via float controls, and so forth.

The first container 102 is physically coupled to the second container104 at a substantially oblique angle in the illustrated embodiment. Insome embodiments, the first container 102 and the second container 104are fluidically decoupled from each other such that fluid contained inone of the containers 102, 104 may not enter the other container 104,102, while in other embodiments, the first container 102 and the secondcontainer 104 are fluidically coupled to each other such that fluidcontained in one of the containers 102, 104 may enter the othercontainer 104, 102.

The first container 102 and the second container 104 are pivotablysupported on the frame 106 via a shaft 114. In the embodimentillustrated by FIGS. 1A and 1B, the shaft 114 passes through, and iscoupled to, the first container 102 such that the first container 102and the second container 104 are able to rotate about an axis of theshaft 114 as the shaft 114 rotates. A fluid-tight seal is formed aroundthe perimeter of the shaft 114 such that fluid is not able to pass into,or out of, the first container 102 where the shaft 114 penetrates thefirst container 102. The frame 106 is configured to be coupled to afixed plane 116, such as an ocean floor, a barge, a dock, a river bed, alake floor, a water facility floor, and so forth.

In at least one embodiment, the first container 102 and the secondcontainer 104 are each configured to be formed in substantiallycylindrical shapes. However, it is to be understood that the containers102, 104 may be formed in substantially any shape provided that theprincipals of operation are preserved, as will be discussed in greaterdetail below.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the TPG 100. FIG. 2 providesadditional detail of the frame 106, which includes a shaft supportmember 118, a first leg 120, and a second leg 122. The shaft supportmember 118 is configured to support the shaft 114 while remainingrotatably decoupled from the shaft 114, such that the shaft supportmember 118 remains fixed relative to the fixed plane 116 and the shaft114 is allowed to rotate about the axis of the shaft 114. For example,in the illustrated embodiment the shaft 114 is configured to extendalong, and rotate about, the z-axis in the Cartesian coordinate system,as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly,the TPG 100 attached thereto is capable of rotating in either one of afirst direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) or a second, oppositedirection (e.g., a counterclockwise direction).

As illustrated by FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, the first leg 120 and the secondleg 122 are coupled to the shaft support member 118 and are configuredto be coupled to the fixed plane 116. The dimensions of the first leg120 and the second leg 122 have been truncated in FIGS. 1A and 2 toillustrate the variability of the length of the first leg 120 and thesecond leg 122. Furthermore, the first leg 120 and the second leg 122may be very long compared to the other elements of the TPG 100 (e.g.,the first container 102, the second container 104, the shaft supportmember 118, etc.) such that truncation is necessary for purposes ofillustrative clarity, although the precise dimensions of the first leg120 and the second leg 122 vary as a function of the depth of the fluidin which the TPG 100 is disposed.

In some embodiments, the first leg 120 is configured to contact thefixed plane 116 at an angle that is not normal to the fixed plane 116,such that a single vector normal to the fixed plane 116 does notconcurrently intersect the center of the shaft 114 and a center of massof the second container 104 regardless of the level of the fluid inwhich the TPG 100 is disposed. Stated differently, the center of mass ofthe second container 104 is never directly below the shaft 114.Accordingly, a force (e.g., a buoyant force) applied to the center ofmass of the second container 104 that is normal to the fixed plane 116will generate a moment about the shaft 114 regardless of the level ofthe fluid in which the TPG 100 is disposed. In alternate embodiments,the first leg 120 is configured to contact the fixed plane 116 at anangle normal to the fixed plane 116, and the frame 106 can be designedwith alternate features that allow a moment to be generated about theshaft 114 over a complete range of fluid levels. For example, the heightof the frame 106 relative to the fixed plane 116 may be such that, evenat a lowest fluid level of the fluid in which the TPG 100 is disposed,the TPG 100 does not rotate to an orientation in which a vector normalto the fixed plane 116 concurrently intersects the center of mass of thesecond container 104 and the shaft 114.

Operation of the TPG 100 will now be described with respect to FIGS. 3,4A, and 4B. For illustration purposes, in the following example(s) theTPG 100 will be described as being disposed in a body of a fluid that issubject to substantially constant variation, such that the fluid levelthereof is cyclically variable between a lowest point and a highestpoint (e.g., a tidal cycle, etc.). However, it is to be understood thatthe principles of operation of the TPG 100 may be preserved in alternatesituations, as discussed in greater detail below.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process 300 of operating one or more valves of atidal power generator. The process 300 includes acts of actuating (e.g.,opening, closing, opening and closing, etc.) a first set of valvesconfigured to allow the exchange of a fluid in a container, actuating asecond set of valves configured to allow ingress of the fluid into acontainer, and actuating a third set of valves configured to allowegress of the fluid out of a container.

At act 302, the process 300 begins. At act 304, one or more valves areactuated by opening the one or more valves to allow a fluid to enter orexit a container, and subsequently closing the one or more valves when adesired amount of the fluid has entered or exited the container. Forexample, the one or more valves 112 may be actuated to allow a fluid toenter or exit the second container 104. The act 304 may be executedresponsive to the fluid being at a lowest fluid level, a highest fluidlevel, or a fluid level that is neither the highest fluid level nor thelowest fluid level. In alternate embodiments, the act 304 may beexecuted responsive to the TPG 100 rotating to a specific angle.

At act 306, one or more ingress valves are actuated to allow a fluid toenter a container. For example, the inlet valve 108 can be opened toallow a fluid to enter the first container 102 responsive to the fluidbeing at a highest fluid level, such as a high tide level, which may bemeasured directly by a fluid level sensor or may be extrapolated from asensed angle to which the TPG 100 has rotated. The inlet valve 108 canbe subsequently closed when a desired amount of the fluid has enteredthe first container 102. At act 308, one or more egress valves areactuated to allow a fluid to exit the container. For example, the outletvalve 110 may be opened to allow fluid stored in the first container 102to exit the first container 102 for the purpose, in one embodiment, ofdriving an electrical generator, as will be discussed in greater detailbelow. The outlet valve 110 may be subsequently closed when a desiredamount of the fluid has exited the first container 102. The act 308 maybe actuated responsive to the fluid being at a lowest fluid level, suchas a low tide level, which may be measured directly by a fluid levelsensor or may be extrapolated from a sensed angle to which the TPG 100has rotated. For example, the TPG 100 at act 308 may be substantiallyoblique from the TPG 100 at act 306, the substantially oblique anglebeing the largest angle between the TPG 100 at any two points in time.At act 310, the process 300 ends.

Examples of the process 300 will now be described with specificreference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIG. 4A illustrates the TPG 100 disposedin a fluid 124 at a lowest fluid level 126 at a first time of a completecycle. At the first time, the first container 102 is not full (e.g., notfull of the fluid 124), and the second container 104 is full in thegiven example. However, in alternate embodiments the second container104 may not be full at the first time. If the second container 104 isnot full, the one or more valves 112 may be opened at act 304 to allowthe fluid 124 to enter the second container 104. The second container104 may be completely filled with the fluid 124, or may contain a volumeoccupied by the fluid 124 and a volume or regions that are occupied byother fluids (e.g., air), a vacuum, a combination of both, and so forth.In other embodiments, the one or more valves 112 may be opened to allowthe fluid 124 to exit the second container 104, and the second container104 may be partially or completely emptied at the act 304. The one ormore valves 112 may be subsequently closed responsive to a desiredamount of the fluid 124 entering or exiting the second container 104.

The second container 104 is constructed of a material, or materials,that allow the second container 104 to float in the fluid 124. Forexample, if the second container 104 is configured to be disposed inseawater and is filled completely with seawater, then the secondcontainer 104 will be constructed of material(s) having a compositedensity that is less than the seawater in which the second container 104is disposed. Accordingly, and with specific reference to the spatialrelationships depicted in FIG. 4A, the first container 102 and thesecond container 104 experience a clockwise moment about the shaft 114as the level of the fluid 124 rises, caused by an upward buoyant forceexerted on the floating second container 104. The level of the fluid 124will continue to rise until a highest fluid level is reached.

FIG. 4B illustrates the TPG 100 disposed in a fluid 124 at a highestfluid level 128 at a second time. At the second time, the inlet valve108 is at least partially submerged in the fluid 124 such that, as theinlet valve 108 is opened at the act 306, the fluid 124 enters the firstcontainer 102. In some embodiments, the fluid 124 may completely fillthe first container 102, while in alternate embodiments, the fluid 124may not completely fill the first container 102. The inlet valve 108 isclosed responsive to a desired amount of the fluid 124 entering thefirst container 102.

As the level of the fluid 124 begins to lower after the second time, andwith continued reference to the spatial relationships depicted in FIG.4B, the first container 102 and the second container 104 are configuredto rotate counterclockwise. Accordingly, a counterclockwise moment aboutthe shaft 114 created by the weight of the second container 104 and aportion of the first container 102 between the second container 104 andthe shaft 114 is greater than a clockwise moment about the shaft 114created by the weight of the inlet valve 108, the outlet valve 110, anda portion of the first container 102 between the shaft 114 and the inletvalve 108 in the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 4B. The first container102 and the second container 104 continue to rotate in acounterclockwise orientation until the level of the fluid 124 returns tothe lowest fluid level 126 at a third time.

The TPG 100 at the third time is substantially identical to the TPG 100at the first time, except that the first container 102 contains more ofthe fluid 124 at the third time than at the first time. Specifically, atthe third time the first container 102 contains fluid having a fluidlevel that is not completely below the outlet valve 110. Accordingly,the fluid contained in the first container 102 that is above the bottomof the outlet valve 110 experiences a water pressure head that willdrive the fluid out of the outlet valve 110 when the outlet valve 110 isopened (e.g., at the act 308).

The outlet valve 110 may be connected to one or more generators, whichmay be internal or external to the TPG 100, by a vessel configured totransport a fluid (e.g., a pipe, a tube, etc.) at the third time, or mayalready have been connected to the generator prior to the third time.The outlet valve 110 is configured to be opened at the third time,thereby allowing fluid to be released from the first container 102 andprovided to the generator via the vessel, the generator being configuredto generate electrical energy from a fluid flow. In some embodiments,the outlet valve 110 may be configured to remain open until the fluidlevel of the fluid contained in the first container 102 is below theoutlet valve 110, while in other embodiments, the outlet valve 110 maybe closed responsive to an alternate condition, such as a specified timehaving elapsed or a specified volume of the fluid exiting the firstcontainer 102.

Although the inlet valve 108 is depicted as being positionedapproximately along the axis of the first container 102, it is to beunderstood that the inlet valve 108 may be positioned anywhere on thefirst container 102 such that the inlet valve 108 is at least partiallysubmerged in the fluid 124 at the highest fluid level 128. Furthermore,although the highest fluid level 128 has been depicted as roughlybisecting the first container 102 and the second container 104, it is tobe understood that alternate embodiments are contemplated. For example,in some embodiments, the TPG 100 may be completely submerged in thefluid in which the TPG 100 is disposed when the fluid 124 is at ahighest fluid level 128. With continued reference to FIG. 4B, the TPG100 can be designed such that the highest fluid level 128 may reach awide range of positions relative to the TPG 100 provided that the inletvalve 108 is at least partially submerged at the highest fluid level128. Similarly, the outlet valve 110 may be positioned in one of manylocations provided that the outlet valve 110 is above the lowest fluidlevel 126.

In at least one embodiment, the cycle ends when the outlet valve 110 isclosed at a fourth time and the cycle repeats from the first time. TABLE1 summarizes the state of the TPG 100 over a complete cycle, as the termis understood in light of the foregoing example, although it is to beunderstood that the TPG 100 may assume alternate states in alternateexamples.

TABLE 1 First Second Fluid Container Container Level State State FirstTime Lowest Empty Full Second Time Highest Full Full Third Time LowestFull Full Fourth Time Lowest Empty Full

Although the foregoing example(s) have been directed to a substantiallyconstant tidal cycle, it is to be understood that the TPG 100 may beoperated in any body of fluid having a fluid level that is notindefinitely constant. For example, the TPG 100 can be disposed in oneor more of a river supported by a river lock system (e.g., one capableof raising and lowering water levels), a pond or lake supported by areservoir or dam (e.g., one capable of raising and lowering waterlevels), a water storage facility, and so forth. The fluid level mayvary naturally or artificially, and may vary periodically oraperiodically. The fluid level may vary between two substantiallyidentical points in some examples, while in others, the fluid level mayvary between a wide range of fluid levels.

As discussed above, the second container 104 may be composed of amaterial having a density less than that of the fluid in which the TPG100 is disposed. However, in alternate embodiments, the second container104 may be composed of a material having a density that is greater thanthe fluid in which it is disposed provided that the second container 104floats in the fluid. For example, the second container 104 may containfluid(s), material(s), and so forth, having a density that is less thanthe fluid in which the second container 104 is disposed, or may containa vacuum, such that the second container 104 is able to float in thefluid. Similarly, the first container 102 may be composed of a materialor materials having a composite density that may be greater than or lessthan the fluid in which the TPG 100 is disposed, provided that the firstcontainer 102 is capable of rotating to an angle at which the fluid mayenter the first container 102.

Although certain illustrated embodiments may depict the first container102 and the second container 104 as being composed of a rigid material,it is to be understood that the first container 102 and the secondcontainer 104 may be composed of a rigid material, a flexible material,or a combination of both. The shape of the containers 102, 104 issimilarly not limited by examples given herein, and it is to beunderstood that the containers 102, 104 can assume a variety ofdifferent shapes provided that the principles of operation of the TPG100, such as the application of appropriate moments, are preserved.

In addition to shapes of the containers 102, 104, other design factorsincluding the material of which the first container 102 is composed, thematerial of which the second container 104 is composed, the position ofthe shaft 114, the amount of fluid allowed to enter each of the firstcontainer 102 and the second container 104, and so forth, may beselected such that appropriate moments (e.g., a clockwise moment, acounterclockwise moment, etc.) are applied to the first container 102and the second container 104 over appropriate intervals (e.g., while thefluid level is rising, while the fluid level is falling, etc.).

Furthermore, the frame 106 can include sliding, adjustable supportsoperable to accommodate fluid level variations caused by, for example,seasonal changes, weather-induced tidal fluctuations, and so forth. TheTPG 100 can further include one or more devices configured to operatethe TPG 100 for extended periods of time. For example, the TPG 100 caninclude at least one locking system to maintain the position of thefirst container 102 in a highest position, while the second container104 remains in a lowest position, to further extend the electricalgeneration period of the TPG 100, independent of any tidal changes ofthe fluid in which the TPG 100 is disposed. The locking system may workin concert with a process of increasing the amount of fluid entered intothe second container 104 through the one or more valves 112 to increasethe weight of the second container 104 (e.g., to increase the buoyantforce exerted on the second container 104).

The TPG 100 can further include one or more devices configured tooperate the TPG 100 in extreme cold weather conditions, including one ormore heating elements, one or more fluid vibration devices, andinsulation coupled to the TPG 100. The TPG 100 can further include oneor more devices configured to operate the TPG 100 in extreme hot weatherconditions, including, for example, one or more pressure relief valves,one or more cooling devices, and a solar reflective material or coatingcoupled to the TPG 100. In some embodiments, a screened water inlet maybe coupled to the valves 108, 112 to prevent unwanted materials (e.g.,animal life, plant life, etc.) in the fluid surrounding the valves 108,112 from entering the first container 102 and the second container 104.In further embodiments, air vents may be coupled to either or both ofthe first container 102 and the second container 104 to allow air to bereleased while filling or emptying the first container 102 and thesecond container 104. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the release offluid contained within the second container 104 can be harnessed togenerate electricity in a fashion similar to the method by whichelectricity is generated by the release of fluid contained in the firstcontainer 102.

Although the first container 102 is illustrated as having a single inletvalve 108 capable of selectively controlling ingress of a fluid into thefirst container 102, in alternate embodiments, the inlet valve 108 maybe supplemented with or supplanted by an open inlet configured to freelyallow a fluid to enter the first container 102. Furthermore, the inletvalve 108 may be supplemented with or supplanted by one or more valvescapable of controlling ingress of a fluid, egress of a fluid, or both,into or out of the first container 102.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate implementation of a TPG, which isgenerally indicated at 500. The TPG 500 includes a first container 502pivotably coupled to one or more second containers 504 about a firstshaft 506. The first container 502 is further pivotably coupled to aframe 508 about a second shaft 510, the frame 508 being secured to orotherwise resting on a fixed plane 512, such as an ocean floor, a barge,a dock, and so forth. The first container 502 includes at least onevalve 514 through which a fluid (e.g., ocean water) is permitted to flowinto the first container 502, and one or more outlet valves 516 throughwhich a fluid is permitted to flow out of the first container 502.

In at least one embodiment, the second containers 504 are sealedcontainers containing at least one fluid (e.g., air). The at least onefluid may be a fluid having a density less than that of a fluid in whichthe TPG 500 is disposed, and a buoyant force may be exerted on thesecond containers 504 sufficient to, for example, allow the secondcontainers 504 to float on the fluid in which the TPG 500 is disposed,as described in more detail below with respect to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6illustrates a perspective view of the TPG 500 disposed in a fluid 518 ata lowest fluid level 520. As shown, the valve 514 is at least partiallybelow the lowest fluid level 520. In some embodiments, the valve 514 isopen, allowing a portion of the fluid 518 to flow into the firstcontainer 502 until the first container 502 is filled with a desiredamount of the fluid 518, at which point the valve 514 is closed.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the TPG 500 disposed in the fluid 518at a highest fluid level 522. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the buoyantforce exerted on the second containers 504 is sufficient to cause thefirst container 502 and the second containers 504 to ascend with thefluid 518. Responsive to the first container 502 reaching a highestposition, the one or more outlet valves 516 are opened, allowing atleast some of the fluid stored in the first container 502 to be releasedfrom the first container 502. The fluid may, for example, be releasedinto one or more turbines, which are operable to drive one or moreelectric generators to produce electrical energy. In some embodiments,the turbines and the electric generators are located internally to theTPG 500, while in others, the turbines and the electric generators arelocated externally to the TPG 500.

The fluid flowing from the first container 502 into the turbine(s) isunder high pressure due to accumulated water head pressure within thefirst container 502 as discussed above with respect to the TPG 100. Thegenerators, accordingly, are provided power from a release of fluid fromthe first container 502, and the generators are operable to generateelectricity for an extended period of time. When the fluid level in thefirst container 502 reaches a desired minimum level, the valves 516 areclosed, and the turbines and the generators cease operation.

As discussed above, the TPG 500 can be disposed in a variety of fluidbodies other than the ocean including, for example, a river supported bya river lock system (e.g., one capable of raising and lowering waterlevels), a pond or lake supported by a reservoir or dam (e.g., onecapable of raising and lowering water levels), or in a water storagefacility.

In some embodiments, a screened water inlet may be coupled to the atleast one valve 514 to prevent unwanted materials (e.g., animal life,plant life, etc.) in the surrounding fluid in which the TPG 500 isdisposed from entering into the first container 502. In furtherembodiments, air vents may be coupled to the first containers 502 toallow air to be released while filling or emptying the first container502. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the release of fluid containedwithin the second containers 504 can be harnessed to generateelectricity in a fashion similar to the method by which electricity isgenerated by the release of fluid contained within the first container502.

Although certain illustrated embodiments may depict the first container502 and the second containers 504 as being composed of a rigid material,it is to be understood that the first container 502 and the secondcontainers 504 may be composed of a rigid material, a flexible material,or a combination of both. The shape of the containers 502, 504 issimilarly not limited by examples given herein, and it is to beunderstood that the containers 502, 504 can assume a variety ofdifferent shapes. Furthermore, the frame 508 can include sliding,adjustable supports operable to accommodate, for example, tide levelvariations caused by seasonal changes, weather-induced tidalfluctuations, and so forth.

The TPG 500 can further include one or more devices configured tooperate the TPG 500 for extended periods of time. For example, the TPG500 can include at least one locking system to maintain the position ofcontainer 502 in a highest position, while the second containers 504also maintain a highest position, to further extend the electricalgeneration period of the TPG 500, independent of any tidal changes ofthe fluid in which the TPG 500 is disposed.

The TPG 500 can further include one or more devices configured tooperate the TPG 500 in extreme cold weather conditions, including, forexample, one or more heating elements, one or more fluid vibrationdevices, and insulation coupled to the TPG 500.

The TPG 500 can further include one or more devices configured tooperate the TPG 500 in extreme hot weather conditions, including, forexample, one or more pressure relief valves, one or more coolingdevices, and a solar reflective material or coating coupled to the TPG500.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example block diagram of computing componentsforming a system 800 which may be configured to implement one or moreaspects disclosed herein. The system 800 includes an output device 802,an input device 804, a processor 806, a memory 810, and a storageelement 812 communicatively coupled together by an interconnectionmechanism 808. The input device 804 is operable to communicateinformation to elements of the system 800 via the interconnectionmechanism 808. For example, the processor 806 may receive informationfrom the input device 804 on which to execute programs stored in thememory 810 and the storage element 812. The output device 802 isoperable to provide data from the system 800 to devices external to thesystem 800.

Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment, it isto be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvementswill readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations,modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of thisdisclosure, and are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure.Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way ofexample only.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tidal power generator comprising: a firstcontainer; a second container coupled to the first container; a framepivotably coupled to the second container; a first valve, associatedwith the second container, configured to selectively control ingress ofa first volume of a fluid into the second container; and a second valve,associated with the second container, configured to selectively controlegress of a second volume of the fluid out of the second container. 2.The tidal power generator of claim 1, wherein the second container iscoupled transversely to the first container.
 3. The tidal powergenerator of claim 1, wherein the first container is fluidicallydecoupled from the second container.
 4. The tidal power generator ofclaim 1, wherein the first container is fluidically coupled to thesecond container.
 5. The tidal power generator of claim 1, wherein thetidal power generator is disposed in a body of the fluid, the body ofthe fluid having a high fluid level and a low fluid level.
 6. The tidalpower generator of claim 5, wherein the tidal power generator isconfigured to raise the first volume of the fluid above the high fluidlevel.
 7. The tidal power generator of claim 1, further comprising athird valve, associated with the first container, configured toselectively control ingress and egress of a third volume of the fluidinto and out of the first container.
 8. The tidal power generator ofclaim 1, wherein the second volume of the fluid is provided to one ormore electrical generators to drive the one or more electricalgenerators.
 9. The tidal power generator of claim 1, further comprisinga third container pivotably coupled to the second container.
 10. Thetidal power generator of claim 9, wherein the first container ispivotably coupled to the second container.
 11. The tidal power generatorof claim 1, wherein the frame is configured to be coupled to a fixedplane.
 12. A method of controlling a tidal power generator disposed in abody of a fluid, the method comprising: actuating one or more firstvalves to control a first amount of fluid in the tidal power generatorresponsive to the body of the fluid having a first fluid level; openinga second valve to control a second amount of fluid entering the tidalpower generator responsive to the body of the fluid having a secondfluid level; and opening a third valve to control a third amount offluid exiting the tidal power generator responsive to the body of thefluid having a third fluid level, the third amount of fluid having afourth fluid level greater than the third fluid level.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the first fluid level and the third fluid levelrepresent a low fluid level of the body of the fluid.
 14. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the second fluid level represents a high fluid levelof the body of the fluid.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the fourthfluid level is higher than the second fluid level.
 16. The method ofclaim 12, further comprising providing the third amount of fluid to oneor more electrical generators in response to opening the third valve.17. The method of claim 12, wherein actuating the one or more firstvalves including controlling the first amount of fluid such that thetidal power generator is configured to rotate in a first directionresponsive to the body of the fluid having a rising fluid level, androtate in a second direction responsive to the body of the fluid havinga lowering fluid level.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the firstdirection is opposite the second direction.
 19. The method of claim 12,wherein actuating the one or more first valves includes controlling aflow of fluid into the tidal power generator.
 20. The method of claim12, wherein actuating the one or more first valves includes controllinga flow of fluid out of the tidal power generator.